AP Sports Preview NEW YORK (Interstat) — The Philadelphia Phillies open a three-game series against the New York Mets on Friday at Citi Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT under partly cloudy skies with temperatures near 74 degrees. Philadelphia (44-36) enters the weekend in second place in the National League East, coming off a 5-4 win Wednesday at Washington. Right-hander Aaron Nola (6-4) gets the start. Over his past five outings, Nola has worked at least 4 1/3 innings each time, striking out 26. He earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on three hits over five innings with five strikeouts. In his lone start against the Mets this season, on June 18, Nola took the loss, surrendering two runs on seven hits in five innings. The Mets (34-45) are in last place in the division, dropping four of their past five games. Center fielder A.J. Ewing has been a bright spot. Ewing went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in Wednesday’s 10-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Over his past 10 games, Ewing is hitting .300 (6 for 20) with two home runs and seven RBIs. The head-to-head series has been lopsided. The Phillies have won two of the past three meetings, including a 6-2 victory Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia outscored New York 21-12 in that three-game set earlier this month. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-3 Phillies victory. The series continues Saturday and Sunday before the Mets travel to Toronto for three games beginning Monday.